Labor conference news: Latest updates as Keir Starmer drops major changes in leadership elections

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Keir Starmer suffered a “car accident” meeting with union leaders as he failed to garner support for changes to Labor rules on the eve of his annual convention.

(Jonathan Brady/PA)

Keir Starmer has ditched his plans to reform Labor’s rulebook by changing the way future leaders are elected in a major backlash just hours before the party’s annual convention kicks off.

The opposition leader had wanted to rewrite his party’s internal election bylaws in a move critics said was an attempt to “prepare” future leadership elections to the detriment of the left.

But a senior source told The Independent that a proposal to return to the electoral college system – which would give MPs a greater say in leadership contests – had been dropped, despite their insistence that Sir Keir would introduce “various changes” at the party convention.

A spokesman for Sir Keir said: “The Labor leader will put a package of party reforms on the NEC that better connect us to working people and redirect us towards voters who can take us to power.”

It comes after the Labor leader suffered a ‘car crash’ meeting with union leaders on Friday afternoon as he failed to garner support for changes to Labor rules on the eve of his annual conference.

Latest update 1632561937 showed Sir Keir Starmer “happy” with the reforms he would put into the party’s National Executive Committee

A spokesman for Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was “happy” with the reforms he would make to the party’s National Executive Committee.

It comes as Sir Keir appears to have abandoned his plans to change how future leaders are elected by returning to the electoral college system.

“Keir said on Tuesday it’s not a ‘take it or leave it’ deal,” a spokesperson said.

“This is how we handled it and we are happy with what we have come to.”

The PA news agency is aware that there will be “significant changes” in the driving rules.

They include raising the threshold for parliamentary nominations to 25 per cent for leadership elections and forgoing the participation of registered supporters.

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 10:25

1632561037 Proposals to reinstate Electoral College not on meeting agenda, says Labor deputy leader

Labor deputy leader Angela Rayner said she had been told proposals to reinstate an electoral college were not on the agenda for Saturday’s meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: “We have a meeting of the National Elections Committee later today.

“I was told that the Electoral College was not on the NEC application sheet – I didn’t see it because I got up at 5 a.m. to talk to you all in the media.

“But, you know, that’s not rare.”

Asked if leader Sir Keir Starmer’s proposals were likely to be voted on at the conference, Rayner added: “Some will and some will not because that is the natural rhythm of how the conference operates.”

After insisting on whether to vote on reforms to how the future leader would be elected, she replied, “I told you my understanding is that the Electoral College will not come to the NEC, and therefore it will not.”

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 10:10

Angela Rayner adds that the fuel crisis adds to the ‘double whammy’ of interest cuts

Angela Rayner says the government’s fuel crisis has added to the “double whammy” of working families of increases in National Insurance and cuts in universal credit.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said: “The money going into people’s pockets has been drastically reduced.”

Ms Rainer said Labor had been calling for a “minimum” in hiring practices to help companies retain staff.

“These employees are happier, (companies) keep them in their workforce, and they don’t have to re-qualify people again and increase their skills, so this actually has benefits for employers.

“We are lagging behind other European countries, lagging in the world with the kind of protection that people have, and we want to make sure we give that to the British people.”

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 09:55

1632559188 Momentum Says “The Electoral College Is Dead”

The left-wing Momentum group said proposals to reinstate Labour’s Electoral College were “dead”.

Mesh Rahman, a member of the Labor Party’s National Executive Committee and Momentum’s National Coordination Group, said: “The central measure of Keir Starmer’s attack on democracy has failed comprehensively.

“The Electoral College is dead.

“Now to ensure that all other changes in the regressive rules devised by the leadership share the same fate.

From ballot changes to increases in the MP nomination threshold, they should all go in the trash.

“Starmer won’t stop trying to rig democracy, so we can’t stop defending it.”

Chiara Giordano Sep 25 2021 09:39

1632558337 Better wages and working conditions will boost employee retention, says Labor deputy leader

Angela Rayner insisted that improving wages and working conditions would relieve pressure on employers by enhancing employee retention and reducing the number of working days lost due to sick leave.

She told BBC Breakfast: “Having good hiring practices – and we see it in all parts of the sector – means you have good staff retention (and) we have those skills that are being retained within the organisation.”

She continued, “Good employers already do it.

“We think it’s time for us to have these minimum standards because we’ve seen an epidemic of unsafe work and low wages, causing a crisis and vacancies in things like welfare.”

The deputy leader of the Labor Party added: “It provides less poor services, and employers are now finding it very difficult to retain the employees they need and acquire their skills.

“It’s part of this program to enable employers to gain the skills they need, but it also means workers can get that guarantee and those reassurances, and it’s about a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 09:25

Angela Rayner expresses ‘frustration’ at easing visa rules for foreign drivers

Labor deputy leader Angela Rayner described her “frustration” with government policies that led to the expected announcement of loosening visa rules for foreign drivers.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Saturday, she said: “It is frustrating that we have come to this point that the government has to do this, because their policies created this situation for us in the first place.”

Ms Rainer urged people not to panic buying but added: “The government doesn’t need to tackle this problem, but it’s a long time coming – we know truck drivers and HGV are skilled workers.

“This was on track and the government didn’t do anything to address it, and we are now facing this crisis.”

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 09:10

1632556837 Increasing party reforms at annual convention would be ‘a bit hasty’, says fire brigade union chief

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Firefighters’ Union (FBU), said it would be “a bit of a hurry” for Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer to bring his party’s reforms to the fall convention.

The trade union leader, who was part of this week’s TULO meeting to discuss the proposals with Sir Keir, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think the first thing to say is what people want out of work conference?

“We have an upcoming jobs crunch, living standards coming crunch, energy crunch and so on.

“If Labor is going to win power and beat the Conservatives, I think people need to see Labor standing up for Labour and that’s what we want, and I’m sure that’s what Labor voters want to hear – not a debate about how we elect a leader or choose Labor MPs. And it’s clear how that will attract people wondering who to vote for.”

Mr. Warak added: “Tolu, the 12 affiliated unions, have agreed that we want consensus, and the only way we can get consensus is if we meet. There are no plans to meet.

“Congress starts today, so it seems like he’s scrambled a bit to try and come up with major proposals on Labor’s constitution in the morning.”

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 09:00

Keir Starmer waters down Labor rulebook reform as he drops Electoral College proposal

Sir Keir Starmer has abandoned plans to reform Labour’s rulebook by changing the way future leaders are elected in a major regression as the party’s annual convention kicks off.

It comes after the Labor leader suffered a “car crash” meeting with union leaders on Friday afternoon in which he failed to garner support for the reintroduction of the electoral college system.

Our political reporter Ashley Cowburn has the full story:

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 08:52

Keir Starmer drops major leadership election changes hours before annual meeting

Keir Starmer appears to have upended plans to change the way future leaders are elected at the eleventh hour.

Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn wrote this report:

Keir Starmer has abandoned plans to reform Labor’s rulebook by changing the way future leaders are elected in a major downturn as the party’s annual convention kicks off.

The opposition leader had wanted to rewrite his party’s internal election bylaws in a move critics said was an attempt to “prepare” future leadership elections to the detriment of the left.

A senior source told The Independent that a proposal to return to the electoral college system – giving MPs a greater say in leadership contests – had been dropped, but insisted Sir Keir would introduce “various changes” at the party convention.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Labor Deputy Leader Angela Rayner added: “My understanding is that the Electoral College will not come to the NEC. [National Executive Committee] So it won’t happen [be voted on]”.

When asked whether or not the proposed changes are in the works, the deputy leader added: “The conference is the time when we discuss things like the rules…these are the things that the conference does every year, year after year.”

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 08:39

Keir Starmer’s spokesman confirmed that he will reform the Labor National Executive Committee

Labor has confirmed that party leader Sir Keir Starmer will lay out his reforms to elect future leaders to the National Executive Committee (NEC).

A spokesman for the opposition leader said: “The leader of the Labor Party will put a package of party reforms on the NEC that better connect us to the working people and redirect us towards voters who can take us to power.”

Chiara Giordano September 25, 2021 08:32

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